Progress notes typically provide which of the following?

• A. A detailed plan for future sessions
• B. A full subjective objective assessment
• C. A brief summary of progress and updates
• D. A new diagnostic impression

Answer: (C)

Progress notes capture how a child is doing in therapy since the last visit and how the plan of care is evolving. They provide a concise summary of progress toward established goals, any changes in status, and updates to intervention plans or target outcomes. These notes are typically brief and outcome‑focused, reflecting what was achieved, what remains challenging, and any adjustments to strategies or goals for the next session. They do not contain a full subjective‑objective assessment, a detailed future session plan, or a new diagnostic impression. The plan for future sessions is usually outlined in the treatment plan or plan of care, not in a progress note, and diagnostic impressions are responsibilities of the evaluation process. For example, a progress note might state that the child demonstrated improved dressing independence by one step and that the current goals remain appropriate with a plan to increase task complexity in the next visit.